Page 22 of Safe With You

Mom’s jaw shifted, and her face flushed again. But it wasn’t Grandma’s fault it had come to this. She’d tried to have a loving relationship with her daughter, but Mom had spurned it every step. Katie didn’t know how she could have expected this to turn out differently, but Mom’s selfishness knew no bounds.

Mom and Grant sat in tense silence as Mr. Walden reviewed the remaining paperwork and information, but Katie could still sense the animosity bleeding her way. As soon as they finished, Mr. Walden dismissed them. Mom and Grant each gave Katie a scorching look, and Christopher whined like a child on the way out.

“How come Katie gets everything?”

The door shut, and only then did she feel like she could breathe again. Still, the tension radiating through her muscles did not let up, and her heart beat erratically.

Across the desk, Mr. Walden offered her a sympathetic look. “If I were you, I would get the locks changed on your cottage as soon as possible.”

Katie could only nod, her words stuck on her dried-out tongue.

“And if you have any questions or need any help, I will do my best to assist you. Your grandma wasn’t just a client but also a friend. I’m sorry you have to deal with such unpleasantness on top of her passing.”

Katie had to swallow twice before forcing out a thank you, truly appreciating the offer and how he handled Mom and Grant. Trading goodbyes, she stood, her legs wobbling like she’d just run one of the marathons Drew tried to get her to join. Ethan put his hand on her arm to steady and guide her to the door.

The lobby was empty, but when they stepped outside, Katie found Mom, Grant, and Christopher waiting to pounce. Her stomach wrenched, and she shrank closer to Ethan as Mom marched toward her. In heels, she towered over Katie.

“I expect you to make this right.”

Katie took a deep breath, scraping together the last remnants of her resolve. “There is nothing to make right.”

“I am your mother. I was raised in that cottage. It rightfully belongs to me.”

“Grandma saw it differently.”

Mom’s eyes blazed. Had they been alone, Katie was sure she would have slapped her. Grant barreled up beside Mom, and Katie recoiled, old memories springing to life. She almost lifted her hands to shield herself, but Ethan stepped between them.

“Back off.” His voice rang with warning.

Katie peeked around him to find Ethan being scorched with the full force of Grant’s glare.

Grant leaned forward just slightly, employing every one of his intimidation tactics. “This does not concern you. Walk away and mind your own business.”

Ethan didn’t so much as flinch. “I’m not going anywhere. Ruby’s will was very clear. Accept it and move on. And if you want to keep harassing Katie, I’m more than happy to call the sheriff down here to see what he says.”

A muscle twitched in Grant’s jaw. He battled Ethan for a few more seconds with his eyes before turning to Mom, his voice brittle. “Let’s go.”

They stalked toward their car. Just before he got in, Grant sent Katie a look that froze her blood. It promised she hadn’t heard the end of this.

When they finally drove off, Katie sagged, her knees nearly buckling. Ethan ushered her toward his truck and opened the door. She climbed in, cold threading through her limbs. Her hands trembled, and it spread to her entire body. The hum of her racing heart buzzed in her ears, and she gulped for breath, not seeming to get enough air.

“Are you all right?” Ethan’s voice sounded muffled.

She shook her head jerkily but couldn’t form words. Tears followed, and she shook as if caught in a blizzard. Reaching into the cab, Ethan rested his hand against her cheek, bringing her gaze to him. He looked her in the eyes.

“Listen to me. I won’t let him hurt you this time. Okay?”

His sure voice and the connection of his touch helped ground her, and she dragged in a strangled breath to calm herself.

Chapter Eleven

It took a few minutes, but Katie seemed to have calmed as Ethan settled into the driver’s seat of his truck. Those tense moments in the parking lot replayed in his mind. He had never wanted to hit someone so badly in his life. It had taken every ounce of willpower he possessed not to level Grant the moment he’d approached Katie.

He turned the ignition and looked over at her. “Do you want to stop at the hardware store and get new locks?”

She drew a shaky breath, seeming to gather herself. “Yeah, we should.”

He put the truck in gear and pulled away from the law office. When he looked at her again, her face was still ghostly pale. He needed to distract her. “I didn’t know you were on the deed for the cottage.”

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